WO2001089066A1

WO2001089066A1 - Small power generating device and water faucet device

Info

Publication number: WO2001089066A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/004079
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yukinobu Yumita
Original assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sankyo Seiki Seisakusho; Toto Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-05-17
Filing date: 2001-05-16
Publication date: 2001-11-22
Also published as: EP1306962A1; AU5676601A; US6876100B2; CN1429423A; US20030164612A1; CN1293694C; DE60141208D1; EP1306962B1; EP1306962A4

Abstract

A small power generating device and a water faucet device, comprising a turbine (3) disposed in a fluid path and rotated as a specified flow rate of fluid passes therethrough, wherein a rotating body (4) connected to and rotated together with the turbine (3) is formed in a rotor part disposed opposedly to the stator part (6) of a stepping motor having the stator part (6) formed of a plurality of layers (6a, 6b), and the rotor part is rotated relative to the stator part (6) as the fluid passes therethrough so as to generate a power.

Description

Description Small power generation equipment and faucet equipment Technical field

The present invention relates to a small power generation device using hydraulic power generated by a flow of water passing through a faucet, and a faucet device provided with the small power generation device. Technology background

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been widely known an automatic faucet device in which a sensor senses this by putting a hand under a faucet and the water flows from the faucet based on the sensor detection. In recent years, a small power generator has been disposed in the fluid flow path of such an automatic faucet device, and the power obtained by this small power generator has been stored, and the power consumption of the above-described circuits such as sensors has been reduced. A device that supplements the above has also been proposed (see Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-open No. 2-77575). The configuration of the above-mentioned small power generator is briefly described as follows. A water turbine is provided in a fluid passage serving as a flowing water passage, and the turbine is rotated by the hydraulic power of the flowing water. A rotating body integrally fixed to the rotating shaft of the water wheel is provided. The outer peripheral surface of the rotating body is a magnetized rotor magnet, and the rotor magnet is arranged to face the stator poles with the wall of the non-magnetic member interposed therebetween. Also, a single-layer stator coil is provided so as to link with the magnetic flux passing through the stator pole. The rerotor magnet rotates relative to the stator pole when the above-described water turbine rotates by receiving the hydraulic power of flowing water. For this reason, the flow of the magnetic flux flowing through the rotor and the stator poles changes. As a result, the flow of the magnetic flux flows through the stator coil. A current flows in a direction that prevents changes, and this current is rectified and stored in a storage battery.

As described above, the magnetic flux flows between the rotor and the stator poles of the power generation device. This magnetic flux serves as resistance when the water turbine is rotated by the hydraulic power of flowing water. That is, the magnetic flux generated between the mouth and the stator pole becomes the detent torque, and the operation of the turbine is braked when the turbine starts and rotates. Therefore, the turbine does not rotate unless it receives a certain flow rate and pressure. Therefore, if the flow rate is low or the water pressure received by the turbine is low, the turbine will not rotate and will not generate power. If the magnetic force of the rotor magnet is low, the detent torque is reduced and the water turbine itself rotates, but the induced voltage generated when the rotor rotates is also reduced, and the power generation amount is greatly reduced. For this reason, in order to obtain a desired power generation amount, it is necessary to increase the magnetic force of the rotor magnet to some extent and to secure a certain flow rate and water pressure of the fluid for rotating the turbine. Under such circumstances, in the case of a small power generator for an automatic faucet device that has been widely used in the past, specifically, when the flow rate is set to 3.0 liters or less, the above-described detent torque becomes a resistance and the water turbine Cannot rotate smoothly. To rotate the turbine, the flow rate must be greater than 3 liters. In recent years, it has been a long time since water conservation was called out due to environmental issues and various other problems. Under such circumstances, there is a problem in the above-mentioned automatic faucet apparatus that it is desired to reduce the amount of water flowing at one time as much as possible. In addition, under the current situation where users' awareness of water-saving issues has increased, the water pressure of the discharged water as well as the flow rate has been kept low. By lowering the water pressure, we want to give the image of apparently water saving. Disclosure of the invention

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a small power generator and a water faucet device capable of rotating a water turbine even with a small amount of water and generating a sufficient amount of power. In view of the above problems, the small power generator of the present invention includes a water turbine that is provided in a fluid passage and rotates with the passage of a predetermined amount of fluid, and a rotating body that is connected to the water wheel and rotates together with the water wheel. A stepper motor having a plurality of layers of stator portions, a rotor portion opposed to the stator portion, and electric power is generated by rotating the rotor portion relative to the stator portion with the passage of fluid. I have. Since the stator portion of the stepping motor for power generation is composed of a plurality of layers as described above, each layer acts so as to cancel the detent torque between the stator portion and the rotor, so that the detent torque can be reduced. As a result, it becomes possible to rotate the water turbine at a low flow rate and a low water pressure. According to another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-described small power generator, a plurality of layers are set so that detent torque generated between the stator section and the rotor section cancels each other. For example, skew each layer (deliberately shift the poles of each layer by rotating in the circumferential direction), or set non-magnetic members between each layer to actively reduce the detent torque. As a result, the above-described operation becomes more effective.

In addition, a small power generation device according to another invention includes a water turbine that is disposed in a fluid passage and rotates with the passage of a predetermined amount of fluid, and a rotating body that is connected to the water wheel and rotates together with the water turbine includes a plurality of coil units. A rotor portion opposed to a stator portion of a brushless motor provided with a stator portion having a rotor portion, and generating electric power by rotating the rotor portion relative to the stator portion along with passage of fluid. ing. like this Since the rotating body connected to the water turbine is a rotor part opposed to the stator part of the brushless motor, the detent torque can be reduced compared to the conventional single-layer stepping motor type power generator. As a result, the water turbine can be rotated at a low flow rate and a low water pressure. Further, in another invention, in addition to the above-described small power generator, the relationship between the number of poles magnetized in the rotor and the number of coils in the stator is reduced to 2-3, 4-3 or 4-6. Is set. Therefore, the detent torque between the stator and the rotor can be further reduced. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided, in addition to the above-described small power generators, an injection member having an injection hole for forming a part of a fluid passage and narrowing a flow rate to be injected to a blade portion of a water turbine. I have. Therefore, even if the flow rate is small, the water pressure can be increased to some extent by the injection hole, and the water turbine can be rotated more smoothly to generate power. In addition, since each of the above-mentioned small power generators can generate power at low flow rate and low water pressure by reducing the detent torque, the diameter of the injection hole should be increased, and the water pressure should be increased accordingly. It is also possible to generate power without. With this setting, the risk of damage to the injection member due to high water pressure is reduced.

In addition, the faucet device of the present invention has at least two modes, a water saving mode in which the flow rate flowing out to the fluid passage is smaller than usual by controlling the degree of opening of the valve, and a normal mode in which the flow rate is normal. The small power generator according to claim 6 or 9 is disposed in the fluid passage. As described above, the small power generator according to claim 6 or claim 9 disposed in the fluid passage has a reduced detent torque, so that power can be generated at a low flow rate and a low water pressure. Therefore, the water wheel If the water pressure of the fluid supplied to the water is set lower, the risk of damage to components due to high water pressure in the normal mode can be reduced, and sufficient power can be generated even in the water saving mode Becomes In another invention, in addition to the faucet device described above, the flow rate in the water saving mode is set to 2.0 liters to 3.0 liters. As a result, it is possible to save water sufficiently and at the same time, to make it possible to generate electricity with this low water flow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a two-layer stepping motor type compact power generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the small power generator of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of arrow II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of FIG. 2 as viewed from the direction of arrow III.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between a member (nozzle ring) for spraying the water turbine with the fluid passage being narrowed to increase the water pressure and the water turbine.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a brushless motor type small power generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the small power generator of FIG. 5 as viewed from the direction of arrow VI in FIG.

FIG. 7 (a) shows a front sectional view of a faucet device using the small power generator of the present invention, and FIG. 7 (b) shows a side sectional view thereof. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of a small power generation device and a faucet device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, a small-sized power generator using a two-layer stepping motor system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a two-layered stepping motor type small power generation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the small power generator of FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of arrow II in FIG. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction of arrow III. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a member (nozzle ring) for spraying the water turbine with the fluid passage being narrowed to increase the water pressure and the water turbine. As shown in FIG. 1, the small power generator using the two-layer stepping motor system according to the first embodiment includes a casing 1, a nozzle ring 2 provided in the casing 1, and a nozzle ring 2 provided in the casing 1. A water wheel 3 rotatably arranged on the inner peripheral side of the water wheel, a rotating body 4 rotating integrally with the water wheel 3, and a stainless steel cap-shaped member 5 arranged on the outer peripheral side of the rotating body 4. And a stator portion 6 of a stepping motor disposed further outside of the cup-shaped member 5. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the casing 1 includes a main body 11 and an inflow channel 12 and an outflow channel 13 protruding outside the main body 11. The main body 11 includes a power generation unit mounting unit 11a for mounting a power generation unit including the rotating body 4 and the stator unit 6 described above. The power generation unit mounting portion 1 la is composed of an open end face portion formed on the right side of the main body portion 11 in FIG. 1 and an outer peripheral portion thereof, and a circumferential groove 11 b is formed on the outer peripheral portion. . The O-ring 8 is embedded in the groove 11b. Further, the flange 52 of the cup-shaped member 5 is pressed so as to seal the O-ring 8 in the groove 1 lb, and the outer peripheral end of the flange 52 is formed in the convex portion formed on the main body 11. In a state where the lid member 9 is in contact with the portion 11 d (see an enlarged view in FIG. 1), the lid member 9 is covered so as to be sandwiched between the above-described power generation portion mounting portion 11 a. That is, the cup-shaped member 5 is pressed against the power-generating-unit mounting portion 11a while crushing the O-ring 8 in the groove 11b, and the lid member 9 is further covered thereon. The cup-shaped member 5 is positioned on the inner peripheral portion of the stator 6 by bringing the outer peripheral end of the flange 52 of the cup-shaped member 5 into contact with the inner peripheral portion of the convex lid. You. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the four screws 10 are inserted into the screw holes formed at the four corners of the lid member 9 and screwed, so that the lid member 9 is attached to the main body 11 of the casing 1. Fixed. As a result, the power generation unit mounting portion 11 a serving as the open end surface of the casing 1 is closed by the cup-shaped member 5. The cup-shaped member 5 is formed of a non-magnetic stainless steel member, and has a flange 52, a cylindrical portion 51, and a bottom 53 formed by drawing. A bearing 15 that receives one end of a shaft 7 that supports the water wheel 3 and the rotating body 4 so as to freely rotate is fitted into the bottom 53. The cup-shaped member 5 serves to isolate the stator portion 6 of the stepping motor from the fluid passing through the casing 1 and to prevent the fluid from flowing out of the casing 1. The inflow channel 12, the outflow channel 13 and the connecting channel 14 connecting these components formed in the casing 1 are one of the fluid passages of a faucet device (see FIG. 7) composed of a faucet, a valve, and the like. The fluid that has entered the inflow channel 12 from the fluid source passes through the connection channel 14 and is discharged from the outflow channel 13. The fluid imparts a turning force to the water wheel 3 during this passage. A detailed description of this section will be described later. In the connection path 14, the other end of the shaft 7 that supports rotation of the water wheel 3 and the rotating body 4 described later is rotatably arranged. This axis 7 The end is rotatably fitted into a bearing hole 14a formed in the connecting path 14 of the casing 1, the other end passes through the open end face described above, and the tip is disposed in the cup-shaped member 5. It is rotatably fitted in a bearing 15. Thus, the shaft 7 is cooperatively held by the casing 1 and the cup-shaped member 5. The connecting passage 14 of the casing 1 is formed as a part of the fluid passage of the faucet device described above, and the fluid flowing therethrough is throttled to be discharged to the blade portion 31 of the turbine 3 (see FIG. 4). The nozzle ring 2 as the injection member is press-fitted. The nozzle ring 2 has a substantially cylindrical ring portion 21 and a flange portion 22 formed by bending one open end of the ring portion 21 in the outer circumferential direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the ring portion 21 narrows the inflow passage of the fluid that has entered the inflow passage 12 and serves as an injection hole for injecting into the blade portion 31 of the water turbine 3 disposed inside. Two nozzles 23 are provided at approximately 180 degrees symmetrical positions. The water wheel 3 provided inside the nozzle ring 2 which is a part of the fluid passage rotates with a predetermined flow rate of fluid. The water turbine 3 includes a cylindrical ring portion 32, and a blade portion 31 having an outer peripheral end portion connected to one end surface of the ring portion 32 and a center portion thereof fixed through the shaft 7 described above. . The blade portion 31 is curved in an arc shape so as to easily receive the pressure of the fluid from the nozzle 23. For this reason, the water turbine 3 enters the inflow passage 12, and the fluid whose pressure has been increased by the two nozzles 23 and whose pressure has been increased vigorously flows to the blade portion 31, so that the hydraulic power rotates around the shaft 7 as a rotation center. Has become. The fluid that has hit the blade portion 31 moves from the connection path 14 to the outflow path 13 through the open portion of the water wheel 3 and the inner peripheral portion of the ring portion 32. The rotating body 4 is formed integrally with the water turbine 3 via the connecting shaft 35, and is arranged coaxially with the water turbine 3. That is, the above-described water turbine 3, the connecting shaft 35, and the rotating body 4 are arranged so as to be connected in the direction in which the shaft 7 extends. Therefore, when the water wheel 3 is rotated by hydraulic power, the rotating body 4 rotates integrally with the water wheel 3 around the shaft 7 as a rotation center. The connecting shaft 35 and the rotating body 4 are formed with four communication holes 4a communicating with each other in the direction in which the shaft 7 extends, at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. These communication holes 4a are provided for smoothing the rotation of the shaft 7 with respect to the bearing 15 by flowing fluid also to the right side of the rotating body 4 in FIG. The rotating body 4 that is connected to the water wheel 3 and rotates together with the water wheel 3 is a rotor part of a stepping motor, is formed of a rotor magnet Mg, and has eight poles magnetized on its outer peripheral surface. The outer peripheral surface of the stepping motor 5 is arranged to pass through the cylindrical portion 51 of the cup-shaped member 5 and face the spreader portion 6 of the stepping motor. Therefore, when the rotating body 4 rotates together with the water wheel 3, the rotating body 4 rotates relatively to the stator section 6. The stator section 6 is composed of two layers 6a and 6b which are arranged so as to overlap in the axial direction. Each of the layers 6a and 6b includes an outer yoke (disposed outside in an overlapped state) 61, outer pole teeth 61a formed integrally with the outer yoke 61, and an inner yoke (in an overlapping state). 62, an inner pole tooth 62a formed integrally with the inner yoke 62, and a coil 63 wound around a coil pobin. The winding start portion and the winding end portion of the coil 63 are connected to terminals 64, respectively. The stator portion 6 configured as described above is fitted into an outer portion of the cylindrical portion 51 of the cup-shaped member 5. Therefore, a magnetic flux flows between the pole teeth 61 a and 62 a of the stator section 6 and the magnetized section of the rotating body 4. When the rotating body 4 rotates together with the water wheel 3 as described above, a change occurs in the flow of the magnetic flux, and an induced voltage is generated in the coil 63 in a direction to prevent the change in the flow. This induced voltage is taken out from the terminal 64. The induced voltage extracted in such a manner is converted into direct current by a circuit, rectified through a predetermined circuit (not shown), and charged into the battery. A specific flow rate for rotating the water turbine 3 will be described below. The rotational force received by the water turbine 3 is set by the flow rate and the water pressure of the fluid. In other words, the fluid that has entered the above-described inflow passage 12 is squeezed to some extent by the nozzle 23 and is vigorously applied to the blade portion 31 of the water turbine 3, whereby the water turbine 3 receives rotational force from the fluid. Of course, even if the hydraulic pressure is not increased by narrowing the fluid passage by the nozzle 23, the water turbine 3 rotates if the flow rate itself is sufficient. However, it is possible to rotate the turbine 3 with a smaller flow rate by hitting the fluid against the blade portion 31 of the turbine 3 with the water pressure increased by the nozzle 23 as described above. In the present embodiment, the fluid passage is narrowed to increase the water pressure.If the water pressure is excessively increased, the blade portion 31 of the water turbine 3, the nozzle ring 2, and other fluid flow paths may be damaged. Occurs. Conversely, if the water pressure is too low, the flow rate will be insufficient and satisfactory power generation will not be possible. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately set the water pressure depending on the material and thickness of the water turbine 3 and the nozzle ring 2. Further, in addition to the shape of the blade portion 31 of the turbine 3 and the total weight of the turbine 3 (including the weight of the rotating body 4), the detent torque generated between the rotating body 4 and the stator section 6 increases. Although the above-mentioned resistance is opposed to the rotational force, the main part of the present invention is to reduce the detent torque part. In the present embodiment, the stator portion 6 has a two-layer structure and is skewed (shifting each layer in the circumferential direction), for example, by shifting the above-described pole tooth position in the circumferential direction, and The detent torque generated between the magnetized portion of FIG. 4 and the magnetized portion is canceled each other. As a result, detent torque is reduced. For this reason, the detent torque force between the rotating body 4 and the stator portion 6 when rotating the water wheel 3 does not provide so strong braking, and the water wheel 3 can rotate smoothly with the rotating body 4 with a small amount of flow and water pressure.

In the present embodiment, the stator section 6 of the stepping motor has a two-layer structure and the shape and thickness of the blade section 31 are set to predetermined dimensions.

It is possible to rotate the water turbine 3 by using the fluid flowing into the inflow channel 12 in the range of 2.0 to 3.0 liters Z.

Also, in the present embodiment, the minimum starting current amount at which the generator starts rotating is 1.2 to

Although it is set to about 1.5 liters Z minutes, the amount of power generation is small, and considering the voltage required to store it in the power storage unit (not shown), At least 5V is required. In this embodiment, power generation is possible at a flow rate slightly less than 2.0 liters. A power that is at least 2.0 liters / minute is required to actually generate power.

On the other hand, in actual use, the flow rate of 2.0 liters Z is the minimum flow rate used for hand washing. As described above, in this embodiment, the flow rate of 2.0 to 3.0 liters Z is set as the water saving mode, and the flow rate exceeding 3.0 liters is set as the normal mode.

If the stator section 6 has a one-layer structure and is the same as the above-described embodiment in the other portions, the detent torque acts as a brake stronger than in the above-described embodiment. Specifically, the turbine 3 does not rotate unless the flow rate exceeds 3 liters Z. Next, a small power generator using a brushless motor system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the description of the second embodiment, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted, and the same components will be the same as those of the first embodiment. The same sign shall be used. FIG. 5 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a small power generator according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side view of the small power generator shown in FIG. 5 as viewed in a direction indicated by an arrow VI in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the brushless motor type small power generation device of the second embodiment has almost the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and includes a casing 1 and a casing 1. The nozzle ring 2 provided, a water wheel 3 rotatably arranged on the inner peripheral side of the nozzle ring 2, a rotating body 4 that rotates integrally with the water wheel 3, and an outer peripheral side of the rotating body 4. It includes a cup-shaped member 105 made of stainless steel, and a stator portion 106 of a brushless motor disposed outside the cup-shaped member 105. The main body section 111 of the casing 1 includes a power generation section mounting section 11 la for mounting a power generation section composed of the rotating body 4 and the stator section 106 described above. The power generation part mounting part 111a is composed of a concave part 111c having a hole in the center part formed on the right side of FIG. 5 of the main body part 111 and its outer peripheral part, and the outer peripheral part has a circumferential part. A groove 1 1 1 b is formed. The O-ring 8 is embedded in the groove 1 1 1b. Further, the O-ring 8 is pressed against a flange 1 52 formed on the outermost peripheral portion of the cup-shaped member 105 so as to be sealed in the groove 111 b. The outer peripheral end of the power generation unit mounting portion 1 11 1 abuts on a convex portion formed on the main body portion 11 1 (not shown = the structure is the same as in the first embodiment). I sandwich it with a The dish-shaped member 90 is covered. That is, the cup-shaped member 105 is pressed against the O-ring 8 while pressing the O-ring 8 within the groove 11 lb, and the dish-shaped member 90 is put on the O-ring 8 from above. Become. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, four screws 10 are inserted into the screw holes formed at the four corners of the dish-shaped member 90, and the screws are tightened. It is fixed to the main body 1 1 1. As a result, the power generation unit mounting portion 111 a serving as the open end surface of the casing 1 is closed by the cup-shaped member 105. The cup-shaped member 105 is formed of a non-magnetic stainless steel member, and is formed of a flange portion 152 by drawing, an outer cylindrical portion 1 55 continuous with the flange portion 152, and an outer cylindrical portion 155. An inner tubular portion 151 arranged inside, a connecting surface portion 156 connecting the two tubular portions 151, 155, and a bottom portion 153 are formed. Then, the cup-shaped member 105 configured as described above is fitted into the recessed portion 111c of the power generation unit mounting portion 111a, and the casing 1 and the dish-shaped member 90 are connected as described above. It is fixed by being sandwiched between. A bearing 15 that receives one end of a shaft 7 that supports the water wheel 3 and the rotating body 4 in a rotating manner is fitted into the bottom portion 153. This cup-shaped member 105 serves to isolate the stator portion 106 of the brushless motor from the fluid passing through the casing 1 and to prevent the fluid from flowing out of the casing 1. I have. The connecting path 14 of the casing 1 serves as an injection member for forming a part of the fluid path of the faucet device described above, and also as an injection member for restricting the flow rate of the passing fluid and injecting it to the blade portion 31 of the water turbine 3. Nozzle ring 2 is fitted by press fitting. The configuration of the nozzle ring 2 is similar to that of the first embodiment. In addition, the configuration of the water wheel 3 disposed inside the nozzle ring 2 and the rotating body 4 integrally formed with the water wheel 3 are also the same as those in the above-described first embodiment. The rotating body 4 which is connected to the water wheel 3 and rotates together with the water wheel 3 is a rotor part of a brushless motor, is composed of a rotor magnet Mg, and has a two-pole magnetized outer peripheral surface. The outer peripheral surface of the brushless motor is opposed to the stator portion 106 of the brushless motor through the inner cylindrical portion 151 of the cup-shaped member 105. Therefore, when the rotating body 4 rotates together with the water wheel 3, the rotating body 4 rotates relatively to the stator portion 106. As shown in FIG. 6, the stator section 106 is composed of three coil sections 106a, 106b, and 106c that are equally arranged in the circumferential direction. Each of the kosole sections 106a, 106b, and 106c includes a stator core 161 and a coil 163 wound around the stator core 161. The winding start portion and the winding end portion of the coil 163 are connected to the terminal 164, respectively. The stator portion 106 configured as described above is fitted into a portion between the inner tubular portion 151 and the outer tubular portion 155 of the cup-shaped member 105. For this reason, a magnetic flux flows between the inner facing surface 161 a of each yoke member 161 serving as a pole of the stator portion 106 and the magnetized portion of the rotating body 4. When the rotating body 4 rotates together with the water wheel 3 as described above, a change occurs in the flow of the magnetic flux, and an induced voltage is generated in the coil 163 in a direction to prevent the change in the flow. This induced voltage is extracted from terminal 164. The induced voltage extracted in such a manner is converted into direct current by a circuit. That is, the AC voltage induced by the power generation unit whose output coil is three-phase Y-connected is rectified and converted to DC through a three-phase bridge circuit (not shown) consisting of six diodes and one smoothing capacitor. The battery is charged. The stator section 106 is composed of three coil sections 106a, 106b, and 106c as described above, and has three poles. On the other hand, the rotating body 4 disposed opposite to the stator section 106 is two-pole magnetized as described above. That is, in the present embodiment, a brushless motor system is used, and the relationship between the number of poles magnetized on the rotating body (rotor section) 4 and the number of coil sections (number of poles) of the stator section 106 is 2-3. It is. Therefore, unlike the conventional single-layer stepping motor system, the detent torque generated between the stator unit 106 and the rotating body 4 is not large. For this reason, the detent torque between the rotating body 4 and the stator portion 106 when rotating the turbine 3 does not provide a very strong brake, and the turbine 3 can rotate smoothly with the rotating body 4 with a small amount of flow and water pressure. Becomes Note that the relationship between the number of poles magnetized on the rotating body (rotor section) 4 and the number of coils (poles) of the stator section 106 is, for example, 4−3, which is not 2-3 as in this embodiment. One 3 or 4-6 may be used. Thus, in the second embodiment in which the main part of the power generation device is configured by the brushless motor system, as in the first embodiment, 2.0 to 3.0 liters of the inflow path 1 It is acceptable to rotate the water wheel 3 using the fluid flowing into 2. Assuming that the structure of the power generating device is a stepping motor system and the stator portion has a single-layer structure (the first embodiment described above has a two-layer stator portion), as described above, the detent torque is strong and the brake is used as a brake. Works. Specifically, the turbine 3 does not rotate smoothly unless the flow rate exceeds 3 liters Z. As described above, by using a brushless motor system for the configuration of the main part of the power generation device, it is possible to generate power even with a small amount of water. The small power generator of each embodiment described above can generate power using a small flow rate of 2.0 to 3.0 liters Z. In addition, even if the flow rate exceeds 3.0 liters, it is possible to generate power naturally, and the rotating body 4 rotates smoothly without being affected by the detent torque. It will be higher than conventional ones. Due to such an effect, the flow rate of the faucet device to which the small power generation device of each of the above-described embodiments is attached is reduced by controlling the degree of opening of the valve so that the flow rate to the fluid passage is reduced. At least two modes, water saving mode and normal mode with normal flow rate, may be used, and the flow rate in water saving mode may be set to the above-mentioned 2.0 to 3.0 liters. By doing so, it is possible to generate power even in the water saving mode, and it is possible to obtain efficient power generation output in the normal mode. In addition, as described above, in each embodiment, since the detent torque can be reduced as compared with the conventional single-layer stepping motor system, this is used to increase the hole diameter of the nozzle 23, for example. Thus, the water pressure to the turbine 3 may be reduced to further reduce the risk of breakage of the nozzle ring 2 and the turbine 3 due to the water pressure. In this case, the minimum flow rate at which the water turbine 3 can rotate slightly increases by the amount of increase in the hole diameter of the nozzle 23 and the decrease in water pressure, but if the flow rate is, for example, about 2.5 liters per minute, It can be said that the performance is sufficiently high as compared with the conventional one. Next, an embodiment of a faucet device using the above-described small power generation device of the present invention will be described.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views of a faucet device using the small power generation device of the present invention. 7 ( _a ) and 7 (b), the faucet device 1000 has a water outlet and a human body detection sensor 1001 for detecting a human hand at its tip. In the faucet device 1000, a solenoid valve 1003 for opening and closing the fluid passage 1004, a small power generator 1005 shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 5, and opening and closing of the above-described solenoid valve 1003 are controlled. A DC conversion circuit (not shown) for converting the induced voltage generated by the small power generating device 1005 into DC, a rectifier circuit (not shown) for rectifying this DC, and a power storage unit (for storing the rectified current). (Not shown) and the like.

Next, the operation of the faucet device 1000 will be described.

When a hand of the human body is detected by the human body detection sensor 1001, the signal is output to the human body detection sensor 1001 and the signal power controller 1002. The controller 1002 outputs an open signal to the solenoid valve 1003, and the solenoid valve 1003 opens to discharge water. Water flows through the fluid passage 1004 in the faucet 100000 and reaches the small power generator 1005. In the small power generator 1005, as described above, the water that has entered the inflow passage is raised by a nozzle or the like to raise the water pressure and hits the blades of the water turbine, and receives a rotational force from the water to generate an induced voltage. I do.

This induced voltage is converted to DC by a DC conversion circuit (not shown), rectified through a rectifier circuit (not shown), and stored in a power storage unit (not shown).

Then, the current stored in the power storage unit (not shown) is supplied to the controller 1002.

On the other hand, when the hand of the human body is no longer detected, the human body detection sensor 1101 detects it, outputs a signal to the controller 1002, and closes the solenoid valve 1003.

The operation of the faucet device 1000 is not limited to the above-described operation. For example, after the water is allowed to flow for a predetermined time, the water may be automatically stopped. The small power generator according to the present invention is configured such that a rotating body connected to a water turbine rotated by passage of a fluid is used as a rotor part opposed to a stator part of a stepping motor having a stator part having a plurality of layers. I have. Therefore, each layer acts to cancel the detent torque between the stator portion and the rotor, and the detent torque can be reduced. As a result, the water turbine can be rotated at a low flow rate and a low water pressure. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a small-sized power generator in which a rotating body connected to a water wheel that rotates by passage of a fluid is opposed to a stator part of a brushless motor provided with a stator part having a plurality of coils. The mouth part is arranged. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the detent torque. As a result, it becomes possible to rotate the water turbine at a low flow rate and a low water pressure. Further, the faucet device of the present invention has at least two modes of the water saving mode and the normal mode by controlling the degree of opening of the valve, and the above-mentioned small power generator is disposed in the fluid passage. As described above, the faucet device of the present invention can generate electric power at a low flow rate and a low water pressure by arranging the small power generation device in which the detent torque is reduced in the fluid passage. Therefore, if the water pressure of the fluid supplied to the water turbine is set lower, the risk of damage to members due to high water pressure in the normal mode can be reduced, and sufficient power generation can be performed even in the water saving mode. It becomes possible to do.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A water turbine that is disposed in a fluid passage and rotates with the passage of a predetermined amount of fluid, and a rotating body that is connected to the turbine and rotates together with the water turbine is provided with a stepper having a multi-layer stator section. The motor is a motor portion opposed to the stator portion, and generates electric power by rotating the rotor portion relative to the stator portion as the fluid passes. Characteristic small power generator.

2. The small power generator according to claim 1, wherein the detent torque generated between the stator section and the rotor section is set so that the plurality of layers cancel each other.

3. A brushless motor having a water turbine disposed in the fluid passage and rotating with the passage of a predetermined amount of fluid, and a rotating body connected to the water wheel and rotating together with the water turbine, comprising a stator having a plurality of coils. A rotor portion opposed to the stator portion, and generating electric power by rotating the rotor portion relative to the stator portion along with passage of the fluid. Small power generation equipment

4. The relationship between the number of poles magnetized in the rotor section and the number of coil sections in the stator section is set to 2-3, 4-3 or 416. Stated small

5. The small power generator according to claim 1, further comprising an injection member having an injection hole for forming a part of the fluid passage and for narrowing a flow rate to be passed to the blade of the water turbine for injection. .

6. The small power generation system according to claim 1, which has at least two modes: a water saving mode in which the flow rate flowing out to the fluid passage is made smaller than usual by controlling the degree of opening of the valve, and a normal mode in which the flow rate is normal. A faucet device wherein the device is disposed in the fluid passage.

7. The water faucet device according to claim 6, wherein a flow rate in the water saving mode is 2.0 liters to 3.0 liters / minute.

8. The small power generator according to claim 3, further comprising an injection member having an injection hole for forming a part of the fluid passage and for narrowing a flow rate to be passed to the blade portion of the water turbine for injection. .

9. At least two modes, a water saving mode in which the flow rate flowing into the fluid passage is made smaller than usual by controlling the degree of opening of the valve and a normal mode in which the flow rate is normal, and the small power generation system according to claim 3 above. A faucet device wherein the device is disposed in the fluid passage.

10. The faucet device according to claim 9, wherein a flow rate in the water saving mode is set to 2.0 liters / minute to 3.0 liters Z minutes.